Teachers are Diamond Cutters
Teachers are Diamond Cutters

Teachers play an important part in our lives. They open doors to different worlds for us. They help to shape our critical thinking process. Great teachers ignite the fire to find out more about the world within and outside of us. Some of my best educators have been my main Diamond Cutters. This poem is dedicated to my Educational Diamond Cutters:

You Taught Me

Love of words

Wonderful words

You taught me

Descriptive words

When strung together

Brought me

To places sublime

Through space and time

 

Love of mathematical

And scientific formulas

You fed me

With algebraic

And chemical formulas

You led me

To masters of old

Through equations unfold

 

Crave of histories

Global stories

You educated me

Of war and peace

My knowledge increased

You cultivated me

About people, places

Eras and races

 

Share of knowledge,

Nurturing knowledge

You molded me

Unlocking my illiterate mind

From thoughts that bind

You stimulated me

To think and explore

Worlds beyond my door


Marlene M. Bryan

1-17-14

Happy Teachers Day to all our Teachers, Professors and Educators! Thank you for helping us Live Diamond Lives! 

This poem and others can be found in my book Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters. 

Share how your teachers impacted your life!

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Fierce
Being Fierce

“Me! Me! Me!” I looked across the room and little hands were waving in the air. The little princesses screamed for me to pick them to serve as my assistants in the workshop. Their lack of fear about what others may say or think was wonderful to see. It filled me with such hope for them and for myself.

For the past six months I have been hanging out with some Fierce Folks. They range in age from four to seventeen. Whether in my workshops or in the Gavel Club meetings (Toastmasters Club for those under the age of 18 or unable to sign an agreement with the organization), I find that these Fierce Folks are so eager to perform different roles and tasks without inhibitions. They are not worried whether they will do it wrong or right. They are willing to get up and perform the job or task. They are less concerned about what others think about the way they are doing the task. They are more focused on just doing and being!

This is a stark difference than when I am conducting workshops for adults. Most often when I call for a volunteer, maybe one or two hands will go up. Adults are more self-conscious of others opinions of their performance, appearance, etc. They seem intimidated to venture out and try new things. I ask myself when did we lose our Fierceness? When did we lose viewing the world through our inner child’s eyes?

Now that I’m hanging with these Fierce Folks I am beginning to regain my inner child’s eyes…my Fierceness! A friend of mine recently suggested that I launch my book in a non-traditional way. Instead of launching the book at a bookstore, why not launch it at a jewelry store. My book’s title is Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters.

At first I thought: “What jeweler is going to allow me to launch my book in his/her store?” Then, I allowed my Fierceness to kick it. I researched stores in my area and found one. I picked up the phone and pitched my idea to the store manager. She called me back the next day and said the owner wants to meet with me. I met with him and learned he was a Diamond Cutter in New York in an area that I covered when I was in sales. End result: I will be launching my book on Sat. May 3, 2014 3-5 p.m. at Jewelry Depot, Inc. in Oakwood Plaza, 2910 Oakwood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020. Come out and celebrate with me!

Embrace your inner child. Embrace your Fierceness! Start by hanging with the Fierce Folks! Share your Fierce story with us! Share this story with a friend or family member who needs to get his/her Fierceness back! Live a Diamond Life!

Can’t make the launch? You can order a copy on line by clicking Diamond Cutters Book.

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Going the Distance

“We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

A friend of my son took a picture of him standing at the top of the trail of a mountain. I thought what a great shot and wished I was there also. Then it brought to mind that many people want to be at the top. Yet, are they willing to do the work it takes to get to the top? Are they willing to put in the sweat equity?

Henry Ward Beecher’s statement rings true to me. We often see winners at the top of their game, but we don’t take the time to see how hard they worked to get there.  It is Wednesday also known as Hump Day. Let’s strap on our own hiking boots and start walking our journey to the top. Let’s start going the distance! See you at the top!

Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose. Learn how in my new book: Diamond Cutters

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Marlene M. Bryan
Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters

The phone rang. I picked it up with some annoyance that it interrupted my preparation for my next meeting. It was the security guard in the building letting me know a package is waiting for me. I rushed downstairs to get it. With nervous fingers I ripped open the package like a kid on Christmas morning. I pulled out both my first book and workbook, cradling them like newborn babes.  The guard smiled at my excitement and said “Congratulations. That is a great accomplishment.”

Hmmm. I never that of it that way: an accomplishment indeed. After two years of dilly-dallying, I have finally completed the first book in the Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose series along with the workbook. When I started speaking about living a Diamond Life, I did not envision writing a book. I learned from my audience that they wanted to read about how to Live a Diamond Life; thus, I was compelled to write about it.

I didn’t do it alone. I had many people that helped me along the way. It is so great to know that so many good folks are willing to give time, feedback and encouragement because they believe in uplifting another human being. I am humble by their love and support!

Here is the description of the book:

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? You have a good job, house, car –all those material things that society says should make you happy. You still feel empty and wonder – What is my purpose in life? Many people struggle with these questions. Marlene M. Bryan utilizes the Diamond as a metaphor to demonstrate how you read more…

Click on the images to purchase your copy of the book “Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters” and the workbook.

Marlene M. Bryan
Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters
Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters Workbook
Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters Workbook

Live a Diamond Life a Life of Purpose!   Follow me on twitter: @marlenembryan.

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Think Like a Champ Origion Photo by: CBS Sports
Think Like a Champ
Original Photo by: CBS Sports modified with text.

Why not you?” “Why not us?” “We play like champs everyday.” These are three things that Seattle Seahawks’ young quarterback, Russell Wilson, said on Sunday as some of the reason for the team winning the Super Bowl.  These are simple statements with powerful impacts.

1)   “Why not you?” This is what Russell’s father asked him when Russell doubted whether he would be able to enter the NFL at 5’11.” Russell’s dad saw his son’s potential and planted the seed that erased his doubts. Most importantly Russell believe what his dad said about him and acted upon it. He changed his way of thinking. He made it to the NFL and as starting quarterback. Ask yourself “Why not me?” when you have doubts about your abilities to achieve a goal or dream.

2)   “Why not us?” Russell, being one of the leaders of his team, used the lesson he learned from his dad and taught it to his teammates. He challenged them to see themselves as champions, even when others doubted that they could or would be. His teammates changed their way of thinking about themselves. They started seeing themselves as champions. How do your thoughts and beliefs affect others around you? To become a champion, you have to be able to positively impact the folks around you. You have to infect them with your championship thoughts!

3)   “We play like champs everyday.” This is the championship thought in action. When you accept that you are a champion, when you infect others around you with championship thoughts, then you must play like a champion in order to win and win big! Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl in a dominant fashion. They won BIG!! 

Proverb 4:23 GNT ~ “Be careful what you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

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